The power of positive thinking

How many times have you heard that phrase? I once believed that to be the most important part of life, including health. It’s become part of everyday vernacular now that it’s almost meaningless. I would argue we all agree that positive thinking is good. I find it hard to say, “Hey, I like me. My life is cool. Things are going great.”

But what about when things are crappy? What about those days when I get so stressed the veins pop out of my forehead? What about those times when I hate my job? What about the days when I feel sucker-punched by a series of unfortunate?

I’ve met people who remain perky during terrible times. In all honesty, they make me want to slap them around a bit. That Pollyanna “life is still beautiful” attitude when things fall apart just yanks my chain.  Although I fully understand that positive thinking really physically changes your brain,

This science is referred to as neuroplasticity. It means that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains. The idea was first introduced by William James in 1890. Still, it was soundly rejected by scientists who uniformly believed the brain is rigidly mapped out, with certain parts of the brain controlling specific functions. The function is altered or lost if that part is dead or damaged. Well, they were wrong. Neuroplasticity now enjoys wide acceptance as scientists prove the brain is endlessly adaptable and dynamic.

The brain, a human, has the power to change its structure, even for those with severe neurological afflictions. People with problems like strokes, cerebral palsy, and mental illness can train other areas of their brains through repetitive mental and physical activities. It is completely life-altering.  So, what does this have to do with positive thinking and me?

It means that repetitive positive thoughts and positive activity can rewire my brain and strengthen brain areas that stimulate positive feelings.  I am reading the widely-acclaimed book The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge.  He states plainly the brain can rewire itself and/or form new neural pathways — if we do the work. Just like exercise, the job requires repetition and activity to reinforce new learning.  I read about some actions I can take to change my own brain during bad times.

One thing is to quit fearing failure. I often fear doing something new because I can’t wait to fail. I never felt this until the past few years. I must force myself to stop thinking about reasons I can’t do something, even if I don’t feel brave or capable. Whenever a negative thought creeps in, I must retrain my brain to think positively about my abilities.

I often find myself trapped in obsessive over-thinking about a problem or in a state of anxiety or worry that lasts weeks or months? It drains my energy, affects my sleep, and spirals my mood and outlook. Focusing on my problem should strengthen the worry function in my brain. When I find myself in that cycle of worry or compulsive thinking, remember the three R’s — rename, re-frame, and redirect. Rename the issue by reminding myself that worry isn’t real. Rename it as a compulsive reaction, not reality. Re-frame my thinking by focusing on positive or distracting thoughts, even if I still feel anxious.

Some people accuse me of feeling blue or out-of-sorts, and it’s just a temporary fog that settles in and lifts after a few days. Some mood disorders, like depression or serious anxieties that morph into phobias, can be debilitating and unrelenting.  I have considered cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).  I mean, many symptoms would support CBT.  They include:

• Loss of senses — vision, balance, and hearing
• The aging brain and memory
• Issues related to love and sex
• Chronic pain
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Depress

So, I must focus on proper mental energy and stop beating myself up.  I want to truly understand the concept, and I can overcome some of the issues discussed.  Time will tell.  One of my favorite motivation packages was Dennis Waitley’s Psychology of Winning.  In fact, it is time to dust this off and try to improve the brain and its destructive behaviors.

This will be important as it looks like I will have surgery in early February.  The old body is not in good shape and needs to change.  I wanted to do it without any surgical options, but it looks like there are no options outside of the knife?

Carry on my friends…